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Exploring PLA for long-term applications in blue economy. Degradation assessment under marine exposure in the Canary Islands.
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Researchers assessed the long-term degradation of PLA bioplastic in marine environments to evaluate its suitability for blue economy applications. PLA degraded slowly under marine conditions, generating microplastic particles over time and raising questions about its use in ocean-exposed applications.
Marine litter and therefore microplastics (MPs) resulting from its degradation have become a top priority for environmental research, policymakers, and society in general. Plastic waste can reach our oceans due to various factors, often stemming from inadequate or inexistent waste management process. On the other hand, there are plastics whose loss in the environment is an associated risk to their use, such as fishing gears, ocean observation devices, etc. Biodegradable plastics (BDPs) such as polylactic acid (PLA) are gaining popularity due to their biodegradability under specific conditions, arising as a potential solution for applications in which plastic recovery is either complex or not economically viable. However, there are concerns about PLA degradation when exposed to seawater, as it shows significant variations in its degradation performance. This research aims to evaluate the suitability of using rotomolded PLA in blue economy sectors (e.g., ocean observation, marine renewable energies, aquaculture, fishing) for long-term applications by studying its degradation under real seawater conditions. For that purpose, PLA samples degradation is being assessed through visual inspection, mass loss calculation, variation in mechanical properties, thermal analysis (DSC, Differential Scanning Calorimetry), changes in composition (FTIR, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), variations in material hardness and microscopic imaging. Experiments are conducted at Taliarte's harbour in Telde (Gran Canaria) and are designed to last up to a maximum of 18 months, with control checks every 3 months. Environment-dependent factors such as seawater temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity are monitored through an installed oceanographic station. Preliminary results show no significant signs of degradation after 3 months of exposure under real conditions. However, further analysis and extended exposure are needed to assess the degradation of PLA across different marine environments and its potential new applications. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559581/document
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Exploring PLA for long-term applications in blue economy. Degradation assessment under marine exposure in the Canary Islands.
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This study explored the long-term degradation of PLA bioplastic under marine conditions relevant to the blue economy, assessing whether PLA maintains structural integrity or generates persistent microplastic particles during extended seawater exposure. PLA showed significant degradation over time in marine conditions, producing microplastic fragments and raising questions about its suitability for ocean-use applications.
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